walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mhanach

Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mhanach


Postby scottishkennyg » Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:50 pm

Munros included on this walk: Beinn Mhanach

Date walked: 30/01/2014

Time taken: 4.5 hours

6 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Started from the usual wee south bound spot just along from the entrance Auch private access road. Another walker had parked on the actual wee road and set off on foot just ahead of me.
A good view from A82 up walk. (images can be enlarged by clicking on them)
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

I biked up Auch Gleann on the sound track, with several straightforward river crossings,

Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

to the start of the main ascent just above the head of the loch Lyon at Strath Tarabhan. It took 50 minutes including the optional walking bits to reach the wooden bridge.
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr
On the wee bridge just before heading upwards.
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

No sign of any paths to follow so I just headed north on a direct summit bearing. After a good bit of calf burning I hit the snow line, soft and wet at first with sparse covering progressing to deeper widespread cover higher up. This made for a sluggish gait, which was extremely energy sapping and provided many bungee leg moments in the deeper sections.
A view upwards from the start of the snow line.
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

I took more recovery rest intervals on this ascent than normal, probably the Christmas weight gain, but it did offer the chance to take more shots of the surroundings. I also noticed the other climber who was approaching up on the Beinn a’Chuirn side of the gulley to the bealach.
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

I pushed on to reach the large summit plateau with virginal snow covering and bashed on to find the small cairn which seemed lower than the ground ahead. Old eyes must be playing up. It had taken 2.5 hours to reach the summit.
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

The other climber arrived and we had a chat then wandered over to the craggier north side. This provided some good views over to Glean Meran and Glen Lyon.
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr


I said farewell to the other man and headed back down retracing my footprints.
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr
A view back down to the A82
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

I sourced a plastic bag and practiced the bum slides. I even managed to steer the derriere moulded luge with a trailing ice axe. Not so hot on the old brakes though and on one stop I managed an eskimo roll. Wrong sport but it worked. Then I noticed the unopened bottle of orange sports drink sliding downwards. It just kept on going until it disappeared altogether. Still I’m sure the native sheep will enjoy the drink.I brushed the snow off and descended to practice ice axe arrests before reaching the bike.

The return cycle was easier and the impressive scenery became more vibrant as the sun broke through. This provided good light for photographs, shame about the photographer.
A view to the back of Ben an Dothaidh
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr
A view up Ben Dorain
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

I arrived safely back at the car in good time. It had taken 4.5 hours including all the stops.
On the return drive the views over the Black Mount range, White Corries, Pass of Glencoe, AE ridge and the Fort were awesome. Black mount
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr
The entrance to Glencoe
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr
The AE Ridge from the A82
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr
A sneaky view of the AE ridge
Image
. by scottishkennyg, on Flickr

We are very fortunate to have this on our doorstep.
User avatar
scottishkennyg
 
Posts: 646
Munros:282   
Joined: Jan 2, 2013

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby larry groo » Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:13 pm

Amazing pics!! Great report, thanks for sharing.

You are indeed lucky to have that on your doorstep!

3 Thumbs up!

:clap:
User avatar
larry groo
 
Posts: 577
Joined: Apr 19, 2010
Location: Angus

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby scooby0511 » Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:42 pm

enjoyed the read and the photographs, well done
scooby0511
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 53
Munros:46   
Fionas:1   Donalds:3
Sub 2000:1   
Joined: Sep 2, 2011
Location: Larbert

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby Collaciotach » Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:38 pm

Grand photos :clap: :clap:

Aye the snow is energy sapping indeed !.
User avatar
Collaciotach
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1896
Munros:282   Corbetts:219
Fionas:47   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:25   
Islands:28
Joined: Aug 8, 2011
Location: Gàidhealtachd an Iar

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby Johnny Corbett » Sun Feb 02, 2014 11:23 am

You got some great photos there, good stuff. :D
User avatar
Johnny Corbett
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 2983
Munros:25   Corbetts:214
Fionas:168   Donalds:74
Sub 2000:302   Hewitts:1
Islands:14
Joined: May 14, 2010
Location: Livingston

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby scottishkennyg » Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:08 pm

Cheers Larry groo.
User avatar
scottishkennyg
 
Posts: 646
Munros:282   
Joined: Jan 2, 2013

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby scottishkennyg » Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:09 pm

Thanks scooby
User avatar
scottishkennyg
 
Posts: 646
Munros:282   
Joined: Jan 2, 2013

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby scottishkennyg » Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:11 pm

Tapadh leat C
User avatar
scottishkennyg
 
Posts: 646
Munros:282   
Joined: Jan 2, 2013

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby scottishkennyg » Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:12 pm

Johnny Corbett wrote:You got some great photos there, good stuff. :D


Lucky shots..Cheers Johnny
User avatar
scottishkennyg
 
Posts: 646
Munros:282   
Joined: Jan 2, 2013

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby Scotjamie » Sun Feb 02, 2014 10:31 pm

A great report and a real inspiration to get out there. :clap:
User avatar
Scotjamie
Wanderer
 
Posts: 1170
Munros:148   
Joined: Jul 27, 2009
Location: north berwick

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby riverlodge » Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:33 pm

great report, super shots which show me what i missed when i did that hill in pouring rain. so much so that on the way down when under the railway viaduct i almost didnt want to get out from under it.
riverlodge
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 74
Munros:168   
Joined: May 1, 2013

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby scottishkennyg » Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:21 pm

Scotjamie wrote:A great report and a real inspiration to get out there. :clap:

Thanks Scotjamie
User avatar
scottishkennyg
 
Posts: 646
Munros:282   
Joined: Jan 2, 2013

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby scottishkennyg » Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:23 pm

riverlodge wrote:great report, super shots which show me what i missed when i did that hill in pouring rain. so much so that on the way down when under the railway viaduct i almost didnt want to get out from under it.

Thanks Riverlodge..I was very lucky to catch a good window in between all the recent poor weather days or I might have been under the viaduct too...
User avatar
scottishkennyg
 
Posts: 646
Munros:282   
Joined: Jan 2, 2013

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby mrssanta » Mon Feb 03, 2014 10:29 pm

oooh lovely
User avatar
mrssanta
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 3132
Munros:281   Corbetts:12
Fionas:3   
Sub 2000:12   Hewitts:43
Wainwrights:41   Islands:13
Joined: Jul 18, 2011
Location: north yorkshire moors

Re: Auch aye we're back, with a wee winter trip up Beinn Mha

Postby scottishkennyg » Thu Feb 06, 2014 9:36 pm

mrssanta wrote:oooh lovely

Thanks..caught a good day mrs. S
User avatar
scottishkennyg
 
Posts: 646
Munros:282   
Joined: Jan 2, 2013

6 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Next



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: James Picksley, Keir1000, mac13, RayK, Smithy1963, SusanR and 63 guests